Constitution of the Socialist Party of Washington - 1901

Constitution of the
Socialist Party of Washington

As adopted by referendum vote, Nov. 15, 1901

Published in The Socialist [Seattle], whole no. 70 (Dec. 8, 1901), pg. 4.

Article I — Name.

Section 1. The name of this party shall be The
Socialist Party of Washington, and it shall be affiliated
with the Socialist Party of America.

Article II — State Committee.

Section 1. There shall be a State Committee,
composed of 5 members, at least 3 of whom shall be
residents of the place selected for state headquarters,
elected at the annual state convention for the term of
one year.

Section 2. The State Committee shall elect a
chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, secretary, orga-
nizer, and such other officers or assistants necessary
to aid in carrying on its work.

Section 3. The State Committee shall represent
the party of this state in its relations to the national
organization, organize and grant charters to Locals, call
state conventions, submit questions to a referendum
vote, receive reports from Locals, arrange circuits for
speakers, sell and distribute Socialist literature, file
tickets nominated at state conventions, and carry on
a general propaganda work in the state. It shall report
semi-monthly to the National Committee and publish
monthly a financial report, together with the proceed-
ings of its meetings. The State Committee shall neither
publish nor designate any official organ. Vacancies in
the State Committee shall be filled by a general vote
of the members in the state upon nominations made
by the locals.

Article III — Locals.

Section 1. A local shall consist of 5 or more
persons believing in the principles of revolutionary
Socialism and holding a charter from the State Com-
mittee. The officers of a Local shall consist of an orga-
nizer, secretary and treasurer, and such other officers
as may be necessary. They shall be elected the first
week in January and July for the term of six months.
Officers elected at any other time shall serve only for
the unexpired term. Local secretaries shall keep the
State Secretary fully informed as to the names and
addresses of local officers and shall report to the State
Committee the general condition of the Local the first
week in June and December.

Section 2. Dues — Locals shall pay to the State
Committee each month a sum equal to 10 cents for
each member in good standing, such money to be
raised as the Local sees fit.

Section 3. Any member not in good standing shall
take no part in the official proceedings of the party.

Section 4. Pledge of Members — All applicants
for membership shall subscribe to the following
pledge:

"I, the undersigned, recognizing the class struggle
between the capitalist class and the working class, and the
necessity of the working class constituting themselves into
a political party, distinct from and opposed to all parties
formed by the propertied classes, hereby declare that I have
severed my relations with all other parties; that I endorse the
platform and constitution of the Socialist Party, and hereby
apply for admission to membership in said party."

First Constitution of the Socialist Party ofWashington [adopted Nov. 15, 1901]

Section 5. Any member elected to office on the
Socialist ticket stands pledged to resign such office
whenever called upon by the party organization in the
state, county, or district in which he is elected.

Article IV — Headquarters.

Section 1. The location of state headquarters shall
be decided by the annual convention.

Article V — Limitation of Members, Etc.

Section 1. No member shall accept any office or
position under a capitalist party except those required
by law or gained under civil service rules.

Section 2. Any member advocating fusion with
any party not representing revolutionary Socialism
shall thereby cease to be a member.

Section 3. No person shall become a member of
this party who does not sever all connection whatsoever
with the capitalist parties.

Article VI — Amendments
and Initiative and Referendum.

Section 1. Any question involving a change in this
constitution, a question of party tactics, the official act
of any state, county, or municipal official of the Social-
ist Party or his removal from office, the calling of special
state conventions, or any other party matter, shall be
submitted to a party vote if called for by 5 Locals or
by 2 members of the State Committee.

Section 2. All questions calling for a referendum
vote shall be submitted by the State Committee with-
out comment.

Edited by Tim Davenport.
Published by 1000 Flowers Publishing, Corvallis, OR, 2011. • Non-commercial reproduction permitted.

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